Judith Herb College of Education

Electronically Sign A PDF On MacOS

At times it is necessary to add a signature to PDF forms. Typically, this involves downloading the document, printing, signing, scanning the signed document and then sending it back. Luckily, Apple has added the ability to add an electronic signature to documents in Preview.

To Add An Electronic Signature from Camera

  1. On a white piece of paper, add your signature.

  2. Open your PDF document 



  3. Click on the Markup Toolbar icon
  4. You will see a signature button in the toolbar.    Click on this.

  5. You will see a window pop up on your screen with two options: Trackpad or Camera.
  6. Select Camera and hold up the white paper with your signature on it from Step 1.

  7. Click Done.

  8. Preview will focus on your signature and add it to the application's list of signatures.

  9. Click again on the signature button in the toolbar and select the signature you created, and it will be added as an image into your document.
  10. Resize and place the signature as necessary.

To Add An Electronic Signature from Trackpad

  1. Open your PDF document
  2. Click on the Markup Toolbar icon
  3. You will see a signature button in the toolbar.    Click on this.

  4. You will see a window pop up on your screen with two options: Trackpad or Camera
  5. On the Trackpad window, select Click Here to Begin
  6. Write your name with your Trackpad and click any key when you are finished.
  7. Click again on the signature button in the toolbar and select the new signature you created, and it will be added as an image into your document.
  8. Resize and place the signature as necessary.
Last Updated: 6/27/22